Dear Angelenos
As we reflect on the devastating wildfires that have recently impacted Los Angeles, we at the Los Angeles Times extend our heartfelt concern to all those affected. The loss, hardship and uncertainty faced by so many Angelenos serve as a solemn reminder of the challenges our city must overcome together. At the same time, we are deeply grateful for the efforts of first responders, community members, and organizations working tirelessly to provide relief and aid during this time of crisis.
These events have underscored the urgent need not only to rebuild but to reimagine Los Angeles as a stronger, more resilient city.
The scale of devastation is unprecedented – destruction and fire have spread across an area 2.5 times the size of Manhattan, affecting countless lives. This pivotal moment requires leadership, innovation and strategic collaboration to ensure that the future of our city is safe, sustainable, and prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
The need to provide support, guidance, and access to world-class expertise as we rebuild is clear. To this end, the Los Angeles Times is proud to partner with a dedicated group of seasoned private-sector leaders and experts to launch a Leadership Council focused on driving and supporting this transformation as we rebuild.
The Leadership Council consists of experienced leaders, individuals and organizations who have managed large-scale recovery operations. Their mission is to ensure that Los Angeles rebuilds not just with urgency but with 21st century technology and innovative strategies that will safeguard our city against future tragedies.
I am profoundly grateful for the enthusiastic response of these leaders and organizations to this call to action. Their insight and experience will serve as a bridge between the private and academic sectors to the local, state, and federal authorities, offering real-world, actionable solutions to the complex challenges facing Angelenos now.
These practical solutions include expert guidance on swiftly and safely removing toxic materials from impacted sites, partnering with utility companies to lay underground power cables to mitigate future fire risks, and identifying fire-resistant building materials. The council will explore advancements such as modernized wireless communication networks, next-generation air filtration systems for cleaner and safer air, and innovative water solutions that extract clean water from the atmosphere.
They will also help our community navigate the logistical challenges of securing essential materials on an unprecedented scale, including cement, steel, and fire-resistant furnishings.
In addition, the outpouring of support from philanthropic organizations has been immense. The L.A. Times will continue to provide Angelenos with critical information on how to access such support.
The challenge before us is immense, but so is the strength and resilience of Angelenos. This council will serve as a beacon of support and guidance, helping our community rebuild with hope, resolve, and a shared commitment to progress.
Sincerely,Patrick Soon-Shiong, M.D.Executive Chairman, Los Angeles Times
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dakota Johnson blames Madame Web flop on people ‘who don't have a creative bone in their body'
Dakota Johnson has laid the blame for Madame Web's dismal showing at the box office squarely at the feet of people at studios who 'don't have a creative bone in their body'. Johnson played Cassandra Webb, a New York paramedic who crosses paths with three young women, played by Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, and Celeste O'Connor, whom she must protect from a mysterious adversary who wants them destroyed. 'It wasn't my fault,' Johnson told the Los Angeles Times about the film flopping. 'There's this thing that happens now where a lot of creative decisions are made by committee. Or made by people who don't have a creative bone in their body. And it's really hard to make art that way. Or to make something entertaining that way.' 'And I think unfortunately with Madame Web, it started out as something and turned into something else. And I was just sort of along for the ride at that point. But that happens. Bigger-budget movies fail all the time.' The Daddio actor has spoken previously about 'drastic changes' made to the script after she had signed on, as well as her unhappiness at creative choices being made by executives at Hollywood. 'Films are made by a filmmaker and a team of artists around them. You cannot make art based on numbers and algorithms,' she said in March last year. 'My feeling has been for a long time that audiences are extremely smart, and executives have started to believe that they're not. Audiences will always be able to sniff out bulls***. Even if films start to be made with [artificial intelligence], humans aren't going to f***ing want to see those.' The Independent has reached out to Sony Pictures for comment. However, Johnson may have relented on never starring in superhero films. She said last year that she 'probably will never do anything like it again because I don't make sense in that world'. She has told the LA Times now that she doesn't 'have a Band-Aid over it'. 'There's no part of me that's like, 'Oh, I'll never do that again' to anything. I've done even tiny movies that didn't do well. Who cares?' The Independent's Clarrise Loughrey labeled Madame Web 'a desperate comic book misfire that seems embarrassed by its own existence,' in her one-star review. Johnson will be seen next in Celine Song's Materialists, where she stars opposite Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, as a New York City matchmaker who finds herself 'torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex'. The A24 film, set to be released internationally on 15 August, has garnered much buzz online, where fans have celebrated it for being a return to the style of the classic 90s' romantic comedy.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Barger, Bass under fire for deleted messages during L.A. wildfires
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is facing growing scrutiny over her deletion of text messages during the devastating January wildfires, joining Mayor Karen Bass in drawing criticism for recordkeeping practices during a critical public emergency. Barger, who represents areas impacted by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, has acknowledged that her iPhone is set to auto-delete messages every 30 days and that she occasionally deletes texts manually. Her office confirmed the practice in response to a public records request, after Barger had publicly stated she was in communication with L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on Jan. 7, when the fires erupted. But when the Los Angeles Times submitted a records request for those messages, Barger's office was unable to provide any written correspondence. Similarly, Mayor Bass's office initially claimed messages were deleted but has since used forensic tools to recover the texts following public outcry. Critics say the lack of transparency undermines public trust, especially during high-stakes emergencies. While the county's record retention policy does not explicitly address text messages, it requires routine administrative records to be preserved for two years. California's public records law applies to texts if they pertain to official business, although some may be exempt from disclosure. The other four L.A. County supervisors reportedly do not use the auto-delete function on their phones. As calls grow louder for reform, the controversy has reignited debate about digital recordkeeping standards for public officials in Los Angeles, with lawmakers and watchdog groups calling for stronger guidelines to ensure public access to government communications in future crises. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Future of Southern California's gas water heaters, furnaces to be decided Friday
Appliances that are among the leading causes of smog could be phased out in Southern California after regulators vote on Friday. The South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board will consider two rules that would require gas water heaters and gas furnaces to be phased out, with manufacturers either selling at least 30% zero-emission heating appliances by 2027 or paying a fee on the sale of gas appliances. That percentage of zero-emission appliances would increase in future years. 'The targets ramp up over time, beginning with a 30% sales target the first year, increasing to 50% in 2029 and ultimately ending at 90% in 2036,' the Los Angeles Times reports. 'The rules would affect an estimated 10 million units across the region, the majority of which would be in residential properties.' While homeowners may view their individual gas-powered water heater or furnace as little more than a drop in the bucket of smog sources in the area, the cumulative effect could be huge. 'These appliances emit more smog-causing gases than the region's largest industrial polluters,' CalMatters notes. In fact, gas-powered appliances rank only behind vehicles in smog production, the outlet adds. There is, however, significant opposition to the proposed regulations. 'Opponents, including gas-appliance manufacturers, fossil fuel companies and some local government and commerce groups, say the measure will strain the electric grid and drive up costs for consumers,' the Times notes. Those critics point to higher up-front costs for purchasing and installing zero-emission devices, but supporters of the regulations say the devices will pay for themselves via lower utility bill costs, as well as public health savings by reducing the impacts of smog on Southern Californians. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
